SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Modoc County due to the effects of several fires which have burned tens of thousands of acres, threatened homes and critical infrastructure, including power lines, and caused the evacuation of residents.
The full text of the proclamation is below (see Governor’s Press Release – https://www.gov.ca.gov/news19899):
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on July 24, 2017, several fires began burning in Modoc County as a result of lightning strikes, which together have burned tens of thousands of acres of land, and continue to burn; and
WHEREAS these fires are threatening homes and agricultural property, necessitating the evacuation of residents and requiring emergency shelters to be established; and
WHEREAS these fires are threatening power lines and other critical infrastructure and have forced the closure of several roads; and
WHEREAS extreme weather conditions, lightning storms, and high temperatures have further increased the risk of fires; and
WHEREAS a significant heatwave continues to impact most of Northern California and additional lightning strikes are forecasted in the Northern Sierra in the coming days, which will increase fire danger and further complicate efforts to contain existing wildfires; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of these fires by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist in Modoc County due to these fires; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in Modoc County.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. All agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of the Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all residents are to heed the advice of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety.
2. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide local government assistance to Modoc County, if appropriate, under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Proclamation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 2nd day of August 2017.
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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
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ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State